The Greatest One-Individual Tents of 2024

One of many best methods for backpackers and backpack hunters to chop weight from their equipment is by switching from a two-person tent to a one-person tent. However not all single-occupancy shelters are created equal: they span a spread of setup kinds and dimensions, with some excellent for pint-sized newbies and others higher fitted to 6-foot-plus skilled trekkers. That will help you discover the proper possibility to your dimension, expertise stage, and desires, Out of doors Life writers and contributors put over a dozen fashions of the very best one-person tents to the take a look at.

How We Examined the Greatest One-Individual Tents

Since the most typical motive to decide on a one-person tent over one of many greatest two-person tents is to avoid wasting weight in your backpacking equipment, Out of doors Life’s inaugural backpacking gear take a look at included a complete take a look at the one-person variations of the greatest ultralight tents. We had testers throughout a spread of expertise ranges give us perception on which tents have been approachable for newbies or might be put up in a flash when the climate turns, and which tents require a extra exact setup to be actually climate prepared. Since then, I’ve had the prospect to check extra one-person tents, each light-weight and ultralight, within the backcountry. We’ve additionally included to check tents on different backpacking gear exams, together with alongside a bit of the Pacific Crest Path within the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Right here, I’ve included essentially the most spectacular outcomes from my private testing, our take a look at of the very best ultralight tents, and my take a look at of the greatest 4-season tents. 

All tents have been evaluated for ease of setup, weight, useful size and width, and inside dwelling house. Whereas I’ve supplied the size within the above desk, remember the fact that the pitch angle of the partitions of the tent will have an effect on how a lot of that inside house you should use.

Greatest One-Individual Tents: Opinions & Suggestions

Greatest Semi-freestanding: MSR Freelite

Key Options

• Max Head Top: 39 inches
• Doorways: One door
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: 3 years
• Worth: $420

Execs

• One of many lightest semi-freestanding tents we examined
• An affordable alternative for people as much as six toes tall
• Straightforward to arrange 

Cons

• Barely narrower inside house than different tents at this value level

This freestanding tent is available in below 2 kilos for the one-person mannequin. If you’re questioning what the catch is, so have been we. Establishing the MSR Freelite on our Oregon Coast Path backpacking gear testing journey was extraordinarily quick (one tester set it up in below two minutes with out having used it earlier than), and it took minimal effort to attain the storm-worthy profile. The inside of the one-person mannequin, whereas not precisely spacious, was giant sufficient for the largest sleeping pad on our take a look at (a full-size rectangular Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Xlite NXT), with a backpack becoming handily into the vestibule. Testers reported that it felt bigger than it was, which is a vital element should you get caught inside ready out a storm. The mesh and fly have been extraordinarily light-weight and lots strong, with the grime falling proper off after we shook it out earlier than stuffing it away for the day. The poles have been even constructed from aluminum, versus splinter-prone carbon fiber. Our solely concern was with that 15D bathtub flooring — it could profit from a groundsheet on more difficult terrains — however this was strictly theoretical as we didn’t expertise any holes on our testing journey. 

Whereas some backpackers choose the load financial savings of a single-wall tent, the intense condensation of the Oregon Coast confirmed the benefits of a double-wall setup. Whereas the remainder of our testing group was rigorously packing up for the day, avoiding the soaked sides of their single-walled tents lest they unleash a rainstorm on their sleep system, the tester within the MSR Freelite may sit up, bump their head on the mesh on the prime of the tent, and keep dry. 

Learn Subsequent: The Greatest Backpacking Tents

There are just a few small quibbles with this tent. One is the door: It’s on the small facet in comparison with the remainder of our subject, forcing our tallest tester (5 toes, 10 inches) to pretzel her limbs greater than she would have preferred when getting out. The included stakes (needle stakes) are additionally decrease high quality in comparison with different choices within the MSR arsenal. Contemplate upgrading to both the light-weight MSR Carbon Cores or the MSR Groundhog Minis, which have nice holding energy. 

Greatest Design: Durston X-Mid

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Key Options

• Max Head Top: 46 inches
• Doorways: Two doorways
• Supplies: Polyester
• Guarantee: Two years
• Worth: $234
• Additionally obtainable as a one-pound DCF tent
• Non-compulsory carbon fiber poles obtainable (6.2 ounces for a pair)

Execs

• Wonderful geometry makes for a secure arrange
• Double the vestibule house of typical tents
• Very affordably priced

Cons

• Not as gentle as another ultralight tents (DCF model is way more costly)
• You’ll need to seize some completely different stakes (included choices weren’t the very best)

The Durston X-Mid impressed essentially the most skilled member of our backpacking gear testing group, Jac “Prime Shelf” Mitchell a lot that she selected to take it alongside along with her when she set you to hike the Nice Divide Path — the 700-mile Canadian extension of the Continental Divide Path. When arrange accurately, the Durston X-Mid has unbelievable geometry, totally taut and safe in opposition to wind and rain, not sagging within the slightest when critical moisture units in. Even when it wasn’t arrange completely (a free stake popped on my first night time on this tent), it was shockingly secure: I didn’t even discover till morning. Prime Shelf reported again that it didn’t take lengthy for her to develop into so environment friendly at establishing this tent that she may put it up sooner than a freestanding tent.

Though the rainfly was soaked from the unrelenting condensation of the Oregon Coast on our testing journey, I used to be utterly dry on this tent, because of its double-wall setup. What makes the Durston X-Mid’s double-wall arrange particularly distinctive is that it was designed to be pitched fly first — no extra groundsheet required. That is such a preferable order of operations in inclement climate that I hope this turns into the norm sooner or later. Our testers additionally seen that the pitch had steeper partitions than was typical, which maximizes livability — even when it doesn’t technically offer you extra flooring house.

The Durston X-Mid even had two doorways and two vestibules. What one-person ultralight tent has a vestibule to your gear and a completely separate facet so that you can exit on for a midnight toilet break? So far as we all know, the Durston X-Mid is the one one. This was additionally one of many lowest priced choices in our take a look at. Though it’s an analogous weight to the opposite double-wall ultralight tents we checked out, the Durston X-Mid is (on the time of this assessment) about $200 inexpensive.

So what’s incorrect with this tent? To start out: it’s not your lightest possibility. For a similar weight because the Durston X-Mid, you would get a semi-freestanding tent. (Durston does provide a 1-pound model of this tent in DCF, however the value level for that’s up there with the Zpacks Solo Plex.) Its setup additionally proved difficult for testers accustomed to freestanding tents: If that is your first trekking pole tent, give your self a while and house to mess around with perfecting the setup.

Lastly, you keep in mind I discussed a stake popped out the primary night time we used this tent? That stake had bent whereas being pushed into moderately comfortable floor. I’d plan to interchange them with one of many greatest tent stakes, with a watch towards MSR Groundhog minis or Huge Agnes Dust Daggers. 

Learn our full assessment, Durston X-Mid 1 Overview: A Newbie-Pleasant Ultralight Shelter.

Lightest: Gossamer Gear Whisper

Key Options

Execs

• Ridiculously light-weight
• Shocking inside house
• Dialog starter

Cons

• No devoted flooring
• More durable setup than others on this checklist
• Comparative lack of privateness

We checked out the Gossamer Gear Whisper on our backpacking gear testing journey to the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Testers described it as one of the vital impossible-looking tents that they had ever seen. At its core, this tent is one thing like a cross between a tarp and a single-wall trekking pole tent. It has the weight-savings of the previous, however the setup is nearer to the latter. Gossamer Gear co-founder Glen Van Peski designed the Whisper for a particular journey he was headed out on, and solely 500 have been launched as an preliminary restricted run — maybe, at first look, it didn’t appear to be a tent with widespread enchantment. Nevertheless it flew off the cabinets, and Gossamer Gear ended up making it a everlasting a part of their choices. 

After sharing this tent with our testing group, I can see why it has such enchantment for a sure subset of ultralight backpackers. There have at all times been a pair limitations to the tarp setup. The primary is that you may be the entree on the buffet for any mosquitoes round. The Whisper solves this properly by having a mesh skirt alongside the underside of the tent. The second is that, for one thing seemingly so easy trying, tarps are difficult and time-consuming to arrange. And that’s the place the Gossamer Gear Whisper actually shines. After I learn Glen’s stream-of-consciousness instructions on the Gossamer Gear website below the FAQ (which I undoubtedly suggest), it took me lower than 10 minutes to arrange on my first try. The essential concept is to start out on the foot, staking out across the shorter trekking pole, after which pull it taut as you stake every successive loop in till you get to the facet with the taller trekking pole. I think about with a little bit of follow, I may get this tent up about as rapidly as some other trekking pole tent. 

Different testers had equally constructive experiences with the setup. Skilled thru-hiker Prime Shelf known as it a “fast, straightforward, and self-explanatory,” noting that the DCF makes it simpler to create a taut silhouette than you’d get with silnylon. Even testers much less skilled with tarp-style tents have been in a position to get it up with out an excessive amount of bother after I supplied a recap of the really helpful technique. 

Testers’ emotions about really sleeping on this tent diverse dramatically. “It seems like my first tent,” stated Prime Shelf. “Simply sufficient of what you want and nothing you don’t.” OL related editor Ashley Thess didn’t have comparable heat fuzzies, stating that she wouldn’t belief this tent in any type of climate. And one tester opted to forgo sleeping in it in any respect, swapping on the third night time of our take a look at. That turned out to be the windiest night time, with a number of testers arrange in additional uncovered areas reporting their tent construction being compromised. So it was notable that the tester who used the tent, arrange with some tree safety, got here away impressed with the structural integrity of this tent.

Learn Subsequent: The Greatest Ultralight Tents

“I felt the wind blowing in by means of the mesh backside half, however I wouldn’t have recognized it was windy (possibly 10 mph) as a result of the remainder of the tent physique was as tight as a trampoline,” she stated. “You might bounce a penny off it.”

After I examined this tent on the ultimate night time of our journey, I had the prospect to expertise this firsthand. The tent regarded prefer it was standing up with pixie mud, which didn’t make me really feel as safe inside it as I needed. However the precise construction was so inflexible and taut that irrespective of what number of instances I knocked into the middle pole, it didn’t transfer in any respect. 

Gossamer Gear doesn’t opine on how many individuals this tent will match, however our take is that, whereas it simply barely match our two gal testers, it’s actually a roomy match for one. Whereas there’s technically house on either side of the middle pole for 2 sleeping pads, the logistics of cramming in any further gear or, heaven forbid, the individual on the far facet needing to make use of the restroom in the midst of the night time, makes this a no-go. 

Greater than some other tent on this checklist, belief your intestine on this one. For those who’re an outdated hand at trekking pole tents or tarp-curious, this might be simply what you might want to actually drive that base weight down. But when the concept of forgoing a flooring and having the underside 4 inches of your tent be nothing however mesh offers you pause, then go along with one other decide on this checklist. 

Greatest Double Trekking Pole: Gossamer Gear The One

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Key Options

Execs

• Straightforward to arrange
• Moderately priced
• Good sized inside that felt homey to our testers

Cons

• Not price it until you already use two trekking poles

The Gossamer Gear The One is the entire package deal. It’s straightforward to arrange, even for first-time ultralight tent customers. It’s very gentle (third lightest in our take a look at of the very best ultralight tents). It has sufficient head room to maneuver round comfortably within the morning. The vestibule match all our gear with room to spare. It packs up small. It even had an inside pocket stow pocket for odds and ends like eyeglasses. Test. Test. Test. 

The testers who used this tent throughout our take a look at of the very best ultralight backpacking gear needed to be on this tent on the finish of the day and have been glad to get up in it within the morning—even our tallest tester at 5 foot 10 inches. There was extra wrangling to be the subsequent tester for this tent than of some other we checked out.

Each testers who took this tent out reported that they have been in a position to determine tips on how to arrange the tent with out instructions (one thing that was decidedly not true for all of the ultralight tents in our take a look at). Nonetheless, they each famous the shortage of instructions supplied within the package deal—contemplate downloading these to your smartphone earlier than heading out into the sector.

The one draw back to this tent is that it requires two trekking poles to arrange, making it much less weight-conscious for backpackers who don’t have already got trekking poles as a part of their arrange.

Greatest Single Trekking Pole: Six Moon Designs Lunar

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Key Options

• Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces (doesn’t embody required stakes)
• Dimensions: 90 x 48 x 49 inches (tapers steeply at each the top and foot)
• Ease of Setup: Average issue
• Inside House: Poor
• One trekking pole required 

Execs

• Straightforward to arrange
• Skill to regulate the door guyline from contained in the tent
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Low partitions could be claustrophobic

Possibly you’re like me: You don’t usually use trekking poles whereas climbing, however you’ve been recognized to toss one into your pack for gnarly river crossings or for further stability on steep, snowy terrain. However there’s no manner you’d carry two simply to make use of in a trekking pole setup—at that time you may as properly simply use a freestanding mannequin. 

The Six Moon Designs Lunar is among the few ultralight tents that makes use of a single trekking pole in its design somewhat than two. The result’s a modified teepee construction that was surprisingly intuitive to arrange. Regardless of having by no means used this tent, I used to be in a position to put it up in solely a few minutes with out instructions.

It additionally had a couple of particulars I appreciated. The primary was a vent on the highest of the tent. It didn’t assist with the unrelenting fog of the Oregon Coast, however in drier climes it will cut back condensation buildup from exhaling inside your tent. It additionally had a rigidity adjustment for the rainfly door contained in the tent, a considerate element that I haven’t seen earlier than. This may can help you eliminate extra slack (usually attributable to wind or condensation) within the a part of the tent protecting your gear with out having to get out of your tent.

Whereas the height top of this tent is adequate, I discovered it tough to keep away from bumping my head in opposition to the condensation-soaked tent partitions within the morning. This was partly on account of my website location: I used to be pitched on barely uneven floor, which made it tough to attain the steeply sloped partitions that will have been potential on flat floor.

Whereas this tent is affordably priced, be aware that the value doesn’t embody stakes; you’ll must buy these individually. (See our tackle the greatest tent stakes for some concepts.)

Greatest for Tall Individuals: Tarptent Protrail

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Key Options

• Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
• Dimensions: 84 x 42/30 x 45 inches
• Ease of Setup: Troublesome
• Inside House: Good
• Two trekking poles required 

Execs

• Usable size makes this an amazing possibility for taller people
• Might match two folks in a pinch
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Tends to sag within the center in condensation-prone circumstances
• People with a shorter wingspan will wrestle with setup

Loads of folks over 6-feet tall gained’t even take a look at a one-person ultralight tent. In spite of everything, the simplest manner for producers to avoid wasting weight and shield your UL bonafides is to easily make your tent smaller than the competitors. And, to be trustworthy, the all-women testing crew on our ultralight tent backpacking journey, which topped out at 5 foot ten, was principally high quality with that. However there was one ultralight tent we tried that was clearly constructed with an over 6-foot particular person in thoughts: the Tarptent Protrail.

Whereas loads of different ultralight tents declare an analogous 84-inch size, few even have that a lot usable house, because of the taper of the partitions. Not so within the Tarptent Protrail, which has totally vertical sides on the prime and the underside of the tent. We expect that anybody as much as six foot 4 could be snug mendacity down inside this tent.

The 2 trekking poles used within the setup of the Tarptent Protrail have been separated lengthwise, 84 inches from each other. That lengthy profile, with none extra assist or construction within the heart, meant that it sagged noticeably when condensation was current. Whereas this tent was examined in pretty calm circumstances, I might have issues concerning the Protrail in critical wind circumstances if it was angled incorrectly or if wind was coming from a number of instructions. 

It’s price noting that shorter folks will wrestle to arrange this tent, as one among our testers found on the ultimate night time of our journey alongside the Oregon Coast Path. That’s as a result of the entrance trekking pole have to be held upright similtaneously you stake out the far door: the wingspan of a shorter particular person simply can’t attain that far.

Greatest for Winter: MSR Entry 1

Purchase from MSR

Key Options

• Weight: 3 kilos, 8 ounces
• Dimensions: 84 x 33 x 40 inches
• Ease of Setup: Straightforward
• Inside House: Common
• No trekking poles required 

Execs

• Just about no condensation
• Comparatively light-weight
• Nice stuff sack
• Straightforward setup

Cons

• Costly
• Considerably delicate supplies require care

The MSR Entry was my decide for the greatest four-season tent primarily based on testing performed with the one-person mannequin. First off, it’s extraordinarily light-weight for a winter tent. It units up simply with little fiddling to attain a taut construction and had nearly no condensation issues throughout testing. The dearth of condensation is particularly spectacular provided that nighttime temps dropped into the low twenties throughout testing and the person who used this tent had a sizzling water bottle stashed within the backside of her sleeping bag. The temperature differential between the within and the skin of this tent was substantial, but moisture didn’t accumulate. 

Unusually, the MSR Entry achieves this distinctive air flow with just one tiny window. The physique of the tent itself—20D ripstop nylon—is breathable, serving to the moisture generated inside your tent transfer to the outside of the material. The rainfly’s design maximizes airflow by pushing moisture-laden air from contained in the tent to the skin. 

One small element that made an enormous distinction is the design of the MSR Entry’s stuff sack. Whereas most tent stuff sacks are longish cylinders with prime openings, the MSR Entry is a longish cylinder with a big large facet opening. This made packing away a moist tent a breeze, and saved each my and my tester’s fingers from getting unnecessarily chilly through the fast cleanup to go away camp. 

Greatest for Hunters: Stone Glacier Sky Solus

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Key Options

• Weight: 4 kilos, 6 ounces
• Dimensions: 80 x 40 x 42 inches
• Ease of Setup: Common issue
• Inside House: Wonderful
• No trekking poles required 

Execs

• Very roomy inside
• Design particulars make this simpler to arrange in dangerous climate
• Protected facet vestibules

Cons

• No giant vestibule to your backpack

Nobody plans to get caught of their tent throughout a storm, but when it was going to occur to me, I’d need to be within the Stone Glacier Sky Solus. First off, for a one-person tent, it’s exceptionally roomy. Nearly everybody will be capable of match not solely themselves (the diagonal measurement is properly over seven toes), but in addition nearly all of their gear contained in the tent with them.

It additionally takes an uncommon strategy to the vestibules. Somewhat than having a single vestibule exterior the door of the tent, it has two smaller ones on the perimeters of the tent. You possibly can entry these from contained in the tent by way of a cinch-cord opening. They aren’t large vestibules, nevertheless it’s sufficient to carry something you don’t need within the tent with you (greatest climbing boots or backpacking rain jackets), and they’re very protected against the weather by the low-lying rainfly. Beneficiant mesh pockets present extra storage choices on the within of the tent.

The edges of the tent are protected sufficiently that you would conceivably go away the entry factors to the vestibules open for further air flow in a single day. An extra cross-breeze could be obtained by partially opening the door to the tent and a 3rd, small opening in the back of the tent. (When packing up this tent on the finish of your journey, make sure the cinch cords are pulled closed from the within.)

Even the setup of this tent takes the challenges of stormy circumstances into consideration. There are two cloth sleeves for the poles that may be unhooked from the physique of the tent. Because of this in exceptionally dangerous climate, you would assemble your poles and slot them criss-cross into the sleeves, offering further stability earlier than you battle the winds to connect the material physique of the tent. 

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus

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Key Options

• Weight: 1 pound, 14.8 ounces
• Dimensions: 86 x 33/21 x 45 inches
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• No trekking poles required 

Execs

• Intuitive setup
• Capable of deal with substantial winds
• Very light-weight

Cons

• Head-on entry could be much less snug for some
• Straightforward to lose stakes

I took the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus on a solo 45-mile trek across the Goat Rocks wilderness within the Pacific Northwest. I’ll stage with you: I had by no means set this tent up when packing my bag, and I didn’t get round to trying on the instructions earlier than heading out. I don’t suggest this (greatest follow dictates a minimum of placing the factor up in your yard earlier than rolling out), nevertheless it turned out simply high quality within the case of the Nimbus. This tent was intuitive to arrange, and it additionally carried out admirably in pretty substantial wind at elevation. 

Like different semi-freestanding tents, there is just one pole for the Nimbus. The principle shaft runs down the size of the tent, connecting in the midst of the foot after which splitting at a hub to connect with each corners on the head of the tent. Further foot house is created by staking out the corners on the foot of the tent. A characteristic I preferred concerning the Nimbus is that much more inside house is created by clipping a bungee on the physique of the tent to the fly.

I match simply inside this tent and would suggest it for anybody as much as 5 foot ten (I’m 5 foot 5). One be aware is that this tent has head-on entry, somewhat than the facet entry, extra typical for this tent model. Whereas ultralight and light-weight backpackers shouldn’t have any problem becoming their pack into the roomy vestibule, stiff joints might make getting contained in the tent a little bit of a chore.

What boosted the Nimbus to the highest of the semi-freestanding shelters checklist (in entrance of the also-impressive MSR FreeLite) is that it manages to get to the sub-two pound mark with out compromising on any particulars. Particularly, I used to be impressed that they included V-shaped tent stakes as a part of the equipment, which have nearly as spectacular holding energy as tri-beam stakes (the very best of the very best in my take a look at of the greatest tent stakes). I skilled each substantial wind and rain on my testing journey, and never solely did the Nimbus hold me dry, however I additionally seen that I slept higher on this tent than in different comparable fashions due to the safety of the general design.  

I solely have a few quibbles with the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus. The primary is the unusual bungee that secures the pole bag to the tent physique. Ultralight backpackers are most unlikely to make use of these, as they usually separate their poles from their tent physique to pack the inside of their pack extra effectively. 

Including reflective loops to the stakes would have been a greater use of that weight. This tent requires no fewer than eight stakes for a full setup, however with none type of cordage, it’s each tough to drag the stakes out of agency floor and even see them when you’ve taken down the tent in sure sorts of environments. 

Learn Subsequent: Methods to Pack a Backpack

NEMO Hornet OSMO

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Key Options

• Weight: 2 kilos, 4 ounces
• Dimensions: 87 x 43/31 x 39 inches
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon, OSMO
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• No trekking poles required 

Execs

• Eco-friendly supplies
• Straightforward to arrange

Cons

• Heaviest freestanding tent we checked out

In recent times there’s been rising consciousness that what goes into creating these virtually weightless waterproof tent materials isn’t at all times nice for the surroundings. If that is beginning to weigh on you (it’s beginning to weigh on us), then the NEMO OSMO collection is one to noticeably contemplate. 

NEMO is among the backpacking gear corporations main the cost in creating extra environmentally sustainable materials and processes. Their OSMO tent cloth is constructed from 100% recycled materials (a composite of polyester and nylon) and achieves a formidable water repellency with out using PFAS.

The NEMO Hornet OSMO is a semi-freestanding tent that holds its personal within the ultralight area. It was simply a few ounces heavier than the opposite semi-freestanding tents we checked out (the Huge Agnes Tiger Wall UL, MSR Freelite, and Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL), with comparable inside house and ease of setup. For those who’re seeking to cut back your influence on the surroundings, it is a nice possibility that may hold your backpacking equipment ultralight.

Huge Agnes Tiger Wall

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Key Options

• Max Head Top: 39 inches excessive
• Doorways: One door
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Worth: $400

Execs

• Similar to our greatest general decide, the MSR Freelite
• Comparatively spacious flooring house

Cons

• Heavier than different picks on this checklist

Whereas testers on our Oregon Coast Path testing journey raved concerning the MSR Freelite’s ease of setup and lightweight weight, they have been equally enthusiastic concerning the Huge Agnes Tiger Wall. This one is simply as straightforward to arrange, with a hair extra inside house throughout its lineup of sizes. However, given the rise in flooring house isn’t mirrored by a rise in head top, the bump up in weight doesn’t fairly make it price it by our estimations. However should you discover that you simply are inclined to collapse the perimeters of the tub flooring within the extra slim MSR Freelite, then this one is definitely price a glance.

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Key Options

Execs

• By far the lightest tent in our take a look at
• Single pole arrange

Cons

• Costly
• Expertise wanted to attain the right pitch
• Requires a taller trekking pole to pitch correctly

Our testers had extra blended emotions concerning the Zpacks Plex Solo than anything we checked out. The burden of this tent spectacular; it’s additionally twice the value of our greatest general decide within the trekking-pole class. The Dyneema shell that helps give this tent its low weight was additionally surprisingly cozy, with our tester noting that it was simply 5 levels hotter inside than out. Nonetheless, if the pitch wasn’t simply so, it felt, within the phrases of 1 tester, like “sleeping inside a moist trash bag.” 

The wrong pitch was not for lack of making an attempt. Our tester, who described the supplied directions as a few of the greatest we checked out, spent a very long time making an attempt to get this one proper. However then she’d get into the tent and understand one thing wasn’t fairly proper with a number of of the ten stakes. After getting out to regulate the stakes and the guylines, she’d get in once more, and see that now one thing new was incorrect. By morning, she was fairly pissed off, however different members of the testing journey who had used Zpacks earlier than merely nodded sagely. The pitch on these tents is hard to grasp. 

We additionally had issues about its storm-readiness. Not like different ultralight tents, there is no such thing as a zipper on the door, simply clips on the corners of the 2 sides that safe to a stake. Which means rain and wind can each push their manner by means of should you haven’t protected your self by another means. Skilled thru-hikers will know if it is a threat they’re prepared to take. In spite of everything, some trails are unlikely to see circumstances that will make this a problem, and there’s at all times the choice to prop your backpack up within the door to offer some further safety. However we expect early-career ultralight backpackers ought to suppose twice earlier than committing to a setup like this. 

For those who’re new to ultralight tents, particularly should you’re new to trekking pole tents, we expect it’s best to shelve this one in the intervening time and go for a barely heavier mannequin just like the Gossamer Gear THE ONE or Durston X-Mid-1. However should you’ve been utilizing ultralight tents for a while, and are able to improve to that elusive sub-10 pound equipment, then this could completely be in your quick checklist. 

Just like the Six Moons Lunar Solo, this one doesn’t include stakes — you’ll want to purchase these individually. Whereas our first suggestion is for the MSR Groundhog Minis, that’s going to push you up over the one pound mark. To maintain this below a pound in complete weight (and get all ten stakes — you’ll want them to take full benefit of the inside house), go for the MSR Carbon Core. 

The final be aware is to test your present trekking poles. One of the best pitch is achieved with a pole set to 132 cm in size, however some poles don’t lengthen that far.

Sea to Summit Alto TR1

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Key Options

• Weight: 2 kilos, 7 ounces
• Dimensions: 84.5 x 24 x 42.5 inches
• Ease of Setup: Straightforward
• Inside House: Nice
• No trekking poles required 

Execs

• Nice inside house that punches above its said dimensions
• Air flow on the prime of the tent
• Inside lighting possibility

Cons

• Three separate packing sections is extreme
• Costly

Loads of one-person tents have a fame for being pretty claustrophobic, so it was nice to get inside the Sea to Summit Alto TR1 and uncover that it was totally bucking that development. Whereas its said dimensions are, if something, on the quick and slim facet for a one-person tent, a slight tweak to how the overhead poles are designed makes it really feel extra spacious than different tents with comparable head heights.

The distinction right here is that the quick cross-section of the one pole that offers this semi-freestanding tent its form is angled upward, somewhat than down. That implies that the top top of this tent (42.5 inches) is maintained throughout its width, close to the middle of the tent—proper the place you’d usually sit up. I’ve a really lengthy midsection and it was clear that I might have loads of house to sit down up and transfer round—even change—inside.

One different distinctive characteristic of the Sea to Summit Alto TR1 is the addition of a light-weight bar that you simply hook up with the roof of your tent by way of snap buttons. This offers you the choice of making a reasonably substantial and nice studying gentle. For a lot of light-weight and ultralight backpackers, this characteristic is prone to be left within the tenting bin of their storage because of the added weight, extra conventional backpackers might admire its utility.

The largest draw back of this one-person tent is its value: the one two tents costlier than this had four-season capabilities. 

Sierra Designs Excessive Facet

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Key Options

• Weight: 2 kilos, 8 ounces
• Dimensions: 88 x 34/26 x 32 inches
• Ease of Setup: Common issue
• Inside House: Poor
• No trekking poles required 

Execs

• Considerably lower cost than most different choices on this checklist
• Straight-forward setup acceptable for early-career backpackers

Cons

• Not a semi-freestanding tent (will collapse if the stakes come out)
• Cramped inside

One-person tents generally really feel like they fall into one among two classes: both they’re semi-freestanding fashions which can be a breeze to arrange however value an arm and a leg, or they’re inexpensive trekking-pole tents with a steep studying curve. The Sierra Designs Excessive Facet struck a center be aware between these two situations. It’s moderately easy to arrange (no trekking poles required) and prices a simple $100 lower than comparable semi-freestanding fashions. It does weigh a couple of ounces greater than different light-weight or ultralight one-person tents, nevertheless it nonetheless weighs gentle years lower than a normal two-person tent. 

There are some downsides to the Sierra Designs Excessive Facet, nevertheless. The obvious one is its top. This was the shortest tent I checked out, and you actually really feel that on the within. There’s more room right here than in a typical bivy, however there’s not sufficient house to sit down up. The online impact is pretty claustrophobic. I’d save this one for the peak of summer time, the place you’re prone to be spending your night hours out of the tent anyway (and will even experiment with cowboy tenting). 

The opposite problem right here is that this tent will not be freestanding. With semi-freestanding tents, each single one among your stakes may come out of the bottom and your tent would nonetheless be standing, simply minus a good bit of flooring house. However the pole design of the Sierra Designs Excessive Facet—which I’d wager is how they stored the price and weight down on the similar time—span the width, somewhat than the size of the tent. More often than not this gained’t be a problem, however in case you are planning to camp out on a rock slab with out straightforward buy for stakes, this tent will probably be way more tough to get arrange. 

Issues to Contemplate Earlier than Selecting a One-Individual Tent

Weight of the Greatest One-Individual Tents

The entire motive you’re looking at a one-person tent, versus a way more spacious, snug two-person tent, is to avoid wasting on weight, proper? Proper. Don’t even contemplate a one-person tent that’s over three kilos: at that time you may as properly begin seeking to see what light-weight or ultralight two-person fashions are on clearance. The exception to that is tents constructed for the worst climate circumstances just like the Stone Glacier Sky Solus or the MSR Entry 1. 

Measurement of the Greatest One-Individual tents

Whereas the said dimensions of every of those tents will assist offer you an concept as as to whether you and your sleep system will match inside a given one-person shelter, the one technique to actually know if a one-person shelter will really feel roomy sufficient to sleep in night time after night time or a bivy-style coffin is to get inside it your self. I’ve supplied notes within the above as to how roomy (or cramped) every tent feels, however, if potential, strive every one you’re contemplating out for your self earlier than making a closing buy. 

Freestanding versus Trekking Poles

There are primarily six kinds of tents on the market: freestanding, semi-freestanding, non-freestanding, single trekking pole, double trekking poles, and tarps. Freestanding tents are akin to what you see on the campground, tents the place stakes usually are not required for the construction of the physique of the tent. Semi-freestanding tents use stakes to flesh out the physique of the tent, however will get up with out them.

Non-freestanding tents want the stress created by staking out the corners to face up. Trekking pole tents are all a kind of non-freestanding tent, however ones that use a few of the greatest trekking poles, somewhat than devoted poles. Some require a single trekking pole to make use of; others require two. Tenting tarps are a kind of trekking pole tent and are a few of the most minimalist (and lightest) choices on the market. These are usually solely appropriate for essentially the most superior backcountry customers as they require data and expertise with completely different knots and tensioning strategies. 

Worth of the Greatest One-Individual Tents

For those who’re contemplating a one-person tent, odds on are that you’re contemplating a critical expedition, like a thru-hike, the place you’ll be counting each ounce. Regardless of their excessive value, high quality gentle and ultralight one-person tents are one of the vital environment friendly methods to spend your cash to avoid wasting weight. That is one the place it’s price it to pay a bit extra. 

FAQs

Closing Ideas on the Greatest One-Individual Tents

For those who’re getting critical about solo adventures, investing in probably the greatest one-person tents is a good way to avoid wasting ounces—even kilos—out of your equipment. I’ve examined, each alone and in parallel to different testers, over a dozen of a few of the greatest one-person tents available on the market, together with prime light-weight and ultralight fashions from Huge Agnes, NEMO, MSR, Mountain Hardwear, Sierra Designs, Stone Glacier, Tarptent, Dan Durston, Gossamer Gear, Sea to Summit, and Six Moon Designs. Listed below are my picks for the highest one-person tents throughout a wide range of kinds.